Δημοσιεύτηκε στις 19 Ιαν 2015
An exhibition of one the world's most disputed artistic masterpieces - the statue of Greek river god, one of Elgin Marbles - comes to end at the Hermitage museum in St.Petersburg.
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Russian State Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg prepares to close an exhibition of one the world's most disputed artistic masterpieces - the statue of Greek river god. The headless statue - one of so-called Elgin Marbles - has spend a month on display in the museum.
It was loaned to the Hermitage by a British museum in December causing an outcry in Greece, which says the priceless 2,500-year-old statue was looted from Athens and must be returned.
The marble statues from the facade of the Parthenon, among the greatest works of ancient Greek art, have been the subject of acrimonious dispute since they were taken from Athens by the Earl of Elgin, later bought by the British state and placed in London's British Museum in 1816.
British Museum had portrayed the loan as proof that Britain was keeping the marbles on behalf of all humanity, and a sign of how culture can rise above diplomatic division at a time when Anglo-Russian relations have frozen to post-Cold War lows over Ukraine.
It was the first time any of the marbles had left Britain since arriving two centuries ago. The decision was not announced until the statue was already safely in Russia, where it will go on display as part of an exhibition to mark the Hermitage's 250th anniversary.
Greece has fought for generations to have the sculptures returned, in recent years hiring international lawyer Amal Clooney, newlywed wife of movie star George, to make its case.
Greece is currently seeking a settlement through U.N. cultural body UNESCO.
On Sunday hundreds of Greeks, including politicians of all stripes, gathered outside the Acropolis museum to hold a candlelight vigil asking Britain for the return of the Parthenon marbles.
Full Story:
Russian State Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg prepares to close an exhibition of one the world's most disputed artistic masterpieces - the statue of Greek river god. The headless statue - one of so-called Elgin Marbles - has spend a month on display in the museum.
It was loaned to the Hermitage by a British museum in December causing an outcry in Greece, which says the priceless 2,500-year-old statue was looted from Athens and must be returned.
The marble statues from the facade of the Parthenon, among the greatest works of ancient Greek art, have been the subject of acrimonious dispute since they were taken from Athens by the Earl of Elgin, later bought by the British state and placed in London's British Museum in 1816.
British Museum had portrayed the loan as proof that Britain was keeping the marbles on behalf of all humanity, and a sign of how culture can rise above diplomatic division at a time when Anglo-Russian relations have frozen to post-Cold War lows over Ukraine.
It was the first time any of the marbles had left Britain since arriving two centuries ago. The decision was not announced until the statue was already safely in Russia, where it will go on display as part of an exhibition to mark the Hermitage's 250th anniversary.
Greece has fought for generations to have the sculptures returned, in recent years hiring international lawyer Amal Clooney, newlywed wife of movie star George, to make its case.
Greece is currently seeking a settlement through U.N. cultural body UNESCO.
On Sunday hundreds of Greeks, including politicians of all stripes, gathered outside the Acropolis museum to hold a candlelight vigil asking Britain for the return of the Parthenon marbles.
